John
1:1 NKJV 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God.

John
1:14 NIV 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have
seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth.

John
1:14 NKJV 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld
His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth.

Hebrews
7:26 NKJV 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the
heavens;

1
Peter 2:22 NKJV 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His
mouth";

Acts
7:59 NKJV 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying,
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Romans
9:5 NKJV 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh,
Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Hebrews
1:6 NKJV 6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
"Let all the angels of God worship Him."

Exodus
3:5 NKJV 5 Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals
off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."

Ellen G. White, Selected
Messages, book 1, p. 244

The
humanity of the Son of God is everything to us. It is the golden chain that
binds our souls to Christ, and through Christ to God. This is to be our study.
Christ was a real man; He gave proof of His humility in becoming a man. Yet
He was God in the flesh. When we approach this subject, we would do well
to heed the words spoken by Christ to Moses at the burning bush, "Put off
thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy
ground" (Ex. 3:5). We should come to this study with the humility of a learner,
with a contrite heart. And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful
field, which will repay the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth. {1SM
244.1}

The Scriptures
Our Guide The Bible is our guide in the safe paths that lead to eternal
life. God has inspired men to write that which will present the truth to
us, which will attract, and which, if practiced, will enable the receiver
to obtain moral power to rank among the most highly educated minds. The minds
of all who make the Word of God their study will enlarge. Far more than any
other study, this is of a nature to increase the powers of comprehension,
and endow every faculty with new vigor. It brings the mind in contact with
broad, ennobling principles of truth. It brings us into close connection
with all heaven, imparting wisdom, and knowledge, and understanding. {1SM
244.2}

In
dealing with commonplace productions, and feeding on the writings of uninspired
men, the mind becomes dwarfed and cheapened. It is not brought into contact
with deep, broad principles of eternal truth. The understanding unconsciously
adapts itself to the comprehension of the things with which it is familiar;
and in the consideration of these things the understanding is weakened, its
powers contracted. {1SM 244.3}

God
designs that the Scriptures, the source of science that is above all human
theory, shall be searched. He (p. 245) desires that man shall dig deep in
the mines of truth, that he may gain the valuable treasure they contain.
But too often human theories and wisdom are put in the place of the science
of the Bible. Men engage in the work of remodeling God's purposes; they try
to distinguish between the books of the Bible. Through their inventions they
make the Scriptures testify to a lie. {1SM 244.4}

Sunday

In the Presence of
Mystery

1
Timothy 3:16 NIV 16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up
in glory.

1
Timothy 3:16 NKJV 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in
glory.

Matthew
1:18-24 NKJV 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother
Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with
child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid
to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Spirit. 21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name
JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." 22 So all this was done
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,
saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they
shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." 24 Then
Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded
him and took to him his wife,

Luke
1:26-35 NKJV 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God
to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And
having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the
Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" 29 But when she saw him,
she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this
was. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have
found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and
bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 "He will be great, and
will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the
throne of His father David. 33 "And He will reign over the house of Jacob
forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." 34 Then Mary said to the
angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" 35 And the angel answered
and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the
Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be
born will be called the Son of God.

John
1:1 NKJV 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God.

John
1:14 NKJV 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld
His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth.

Galatians
4:4 NKJV 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His
Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Philippians
2:5-11 NKJV 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who,
being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and
coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death
of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the
name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

Philippians
2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.

Monday

Then There Was
Conflict

1
John 4:1-3 NKJV 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits,
whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the
world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses
that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that
does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And
this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and
is now already in the world.

Tuesday

He Took Our
Nature

John
4:29 NIV 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this
be the Christ?"

Matthew
8:27 NIV 27 The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even
the winds and the waves obey him!"

John
4:29 NKJV 29 "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could
this be the Christ?"

Matthew
8:27 NKJV 27 So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the
winds and the sea obey Him?"

Matthew
8:24 NKJV 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat
was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.

Matthew
21:18 NKJV 18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was
hungry.

John
4:5-6 NKJV 5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near
the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well
was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the
well. It was about the sixth hour.

John
4:7 NKJV 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give
Me a drink."

John
19:28 NKJV 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished,
that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!"

John
11:33-35 NKJV 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who
came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And
He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."
35 Jesus wept.

Galatians
4:4 NKJV 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His
Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Ellen G. White, Lift
Him Up, p. 74

Chap. 3 - Lift Him Up as the Son of
Man Christ Took Upon Himself
Human Nature

And
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John
1:14. {LHU 74.1}

As
one who understands his subject, John ascribes all power to Christ, and speaks
of His greatness and majesty. He flashes forth divine rays of precious truth,
as light from the sun. He presents Christ as the only Mediator between God
and humanity. {LHU 74.2}

The
doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in human flesh is a mystery, "even
the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations." It is the
great and profound mystery of godliness. "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt
among us." Christ took upon Himself human nature, a nature inferior to His
heavenly nature. Nothing so shows the wonderful condescension of God as this.
He "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son." John presents
this wonderful subject with such simplicity that all may grasp the ideas
set forth, and be enlightened. {LHU 74.3}

Christ
did not make-believe take human nature; He did verily take it. He did in
reality possess human nature. "As the children are partakers of flesh and
blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same." He was the son of
Mary; He was of the seed of David according to human descent. He is declared
to be a man, even the Man Christ Jesus. "This man," writes Paul, "was counted
worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house
hath more honor than the house." {LHU 74.4}

But
while God's Word speaks of the humanity of Christ when upon this earth, it
also speaks decidedly regarding His preexistence. The Word existed as a divine
being, even as the eternal Son of God, in union and oneness with His Father.
From everlasting He was the Mediator of the covenant, the One in whom all
nations of the earth, both Jews and Gentiles, if they accepted Him, were
to be blessed. "The Word was with God, and the Word was God." Before men
or angels were created, the Word was with God, and was God. . . . {LHU
74.5}

God
and Christ knew from the beginning of the apostasy of Satan and of the fall
of Adam through the deceptive power of the apostate. The plan of salvation
was designed to redeem the fallen race, to give them another trial. Christ
was appointed to the office of Mediator from the creation of God,

set
up from everlasting to be our substitute and surety. Before the world was
made, it was arranged that the divinity of Christ should be enshrouded in
humanity. "A body," said Christ, "hast thou prepared me." But He did not
come in human form until the fullness of time had expired. Then He came to
our world, a babe in Bethlehem (Review and Herald, Apr. 5, 1906).

(p.
75) {LHU 74.6}

Wednesday

To Feel Our
Pain

Hebrews
2:9 NKJV 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,
for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the
grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Hebrews
2:14-15 NKJV 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and
blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might
destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release
those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to
bondage.

Hebrews
2:16-17 NKJV 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give
aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made
like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in
things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the
people.

Hebrews
2:18 NKJV 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able
to aid those who are tempted.

Hebrews
4:14-16 NKJV 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed
through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore
come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace
to help in time of need.

Hebrews
5:8-9 NKJV 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things
which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal
salvation to all who obey Him,

Hebrews
4:16 NIV 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of
need.

Hebrews
4:16 NKJV 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Thursday

An Eternal
Solidarity

Luke
24:36-43 NKJV 36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the
midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." 37 But they were terrified
and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them,
"Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 "Behold
My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit
does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." 40 When He had said this,
He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe
for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?" 42 So they
gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it
and ate in their presence.

Acts
1:10-11 NKJV 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went
up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men
of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who
was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw
Him go into heaven."

Acts
17:31 NKJV 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the
world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance
of this to all by raising Him from the dead."

1
Timothy 2:5 NKJV 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and
men, the Man Christ Jesus,

The Desire of Ages,
p. 25

In
stooping to take upon Himself humanity, Christ revealed a character the opposite
of the character of Satan. But He stepped still lower in the path of humiliation.
"Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross." Phil. 2:8. As the high priest laid
aside his gorgeous pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress
of the common priest, so Christ took the form of a servant, and offered
sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. "He was wounded for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our
peace was upon Him." Isa. 53:5. {DA 25.1}

Christ
was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was
condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified
by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which
was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. "With His stripes
we are healed." {DA 25.2}

By
His life and His death, Christ has achieved even more than recovery from
the ruin wrought through sin. It was Satan's purpose to bring about an eternal
separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united
to God than if we had never fallen.

In
taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that
is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. "God
so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." John 3:16. He gave
Him not only to bear our sins, and to die as our sacrifice; He gave Him to
the fallen race. To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave
His only-begotten Son to become one of the human family, forever to retain
His human nature. This is the pledge that God will fulfill His word. "Unto
us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon
His shoulder." God has adopted human nature in the person of His Son, and
has carried the same into the highest heaven. It is the "Son of man" who
shares the throne of the universe. It is the "Son of man" whose name shall
be called, "Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace." Isa. 9:6. The I AM is the Daysman between God and humanity,
laying His hand upon both. He who is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
from sinners," is not ashamed to call us brethren. Heb. 7:26; 2:11. In Christ
the family of earth and the family of heaven are (p. 26) bound together.
Christ glorified is our brother. Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity
is enfolded in the bosom of Infinite Love. {DA
25.3}

Ellen G. White, SDA
Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1054

11.
Holy Humanity Taken to Heaven.--Christ ascended to heaven, bearing a sanctified,
holy humanity. He took this humanity with Him into the heavenly courts, and
through the eternal ages He will bear it, as the One who has redeemed every
human being in the city of God (RH March 9, 1905). {6BC 1054.1}

(John
12:45; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3.) A Personal Saviour.--Christ came as a personal
Saviour to the world. He represented a personal God. He ascended on high
as a personal Saviour, and will come again as He ascended to heaven--a personal
Saviour (MS 86, 1898). {6BC 1054.2}

(Matt.
28:20; John 14:2, 3; 16:24; Heb. 9:24.) A New View of Heaven.-- What a source
of joy to the disciples to know that they had such a Friend in heaven to
plead in their behalf! Through the visible ascension of Christ all their
views and contemplation of heaven are changed. Their minds had formerly dwelt
upon it as a region of unlimited space, tenanted by spirits without substance.
Now heaven was connected with the thought of Jesus, whom they had loved and
reverenced above all others, with whom they had conversed and journeyed,
whom they had handled, even in His resurrected body, who had spoken hope
and comfort to their hearts, and who, while the words were upon His lips,
had been taken up before their eyes, the tones of His voice coming back to
them as the cloudy chariot of angels received Him: "Lord, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world." {6BC 1054.3}

Heaven
could no longer appear to them as an indefinite, incomprehensible space,
filled with intangible spirits. They now looked upon it as their future home,
where mansions were being prepared for them by their loving Redeemer. Prayer
was clothed with a new interest, since it was a communion with their Saviour.
With new and thrilling emotions and a firm confidence that their prayer would
be answered, they gathered in the upper chamber to offer their petitions
and to claim the promise of the Saviour, who had said, "Ask, and ye shall
receive, that your joy may be full." They prayed in the name of Jesus. {6BC
1054.4}

They
had a gospel to preach--Christ in human form, a man of sorrows; Christ in
humiliation, taken by wicked hands and crucified; Christ resurrected, and
ascended to heaven, into the presence of God, to be man's Advocate; Christ
to come again with power and great glory in the clouds of heaven (3SP 262,
263). {6BC 1054.5}

14.
Faith of Jesus' Brothers Established.--[Acts 1:9-14 quoted.] "And with his
brethren." These had lost much because of their unbelief. They had been among
the number who doubted when Jesus appeared in Galilee. But they now firmly
believed that Jesus was the Son of God, the promised Messiah. Their faith
was established (Letter 115, 1904). {6BC 1054.6}

26
(Joshua 7:16-18). No Faith in Casting Lots.--Let none be led from the sound,
sensible principles that God has laid down for the guidance of His people,
to depend for direction on any such device as the tossing up of a coin. Such
a course is well pleasing to the enemy of souls; for he works to control
the coin, and through its agency works out his plans. Let none be so easily
deceived as to place confidence in any such tests. Let none belittle their
experience by resorting to cheap devices for direction in important matters
connected with the work of God. {6BC 1054.7}

The
Lord works in no haphazard way. Seek Him most earnestly in prayer. He will
impress the mind, and will give tongue and utterance. The people of God are
to be educated not to trust in human inventions and uncertain tests as a
means of learning God's will concerning them. Satan and his agencies are
always ready to step into any opening to be found that will lead souls away
from the pure principles of the Word of God. The people who are led and taught
of God will give no place to devisings for which there is not a "Thus saith
the Lord" (SpT, Ser. B, No. 17, p. 28). {6BC 1054.8}

I
have no faith in casting lots. We have in the Bible a plain "Thus saith the
Lord" in regard to all church duties. . . . Read your Bibles with much prayer.
Do not try to humble others, but humble yourselves before God, and deal gently
with one another. To cast lots for the officers of the church is not in God's
order (Letter 37, 1900). (p. 1055) {6BC
1054.9}

Friday

Ellen G. White, Signs
of the Times, July 30, 1896

July 30, 1896 Child Life of
Jesus. - By Mrs. E. G.
White.

Jesus
was the Commander of heaven, one equal with God, and yet he condescended
to lay aside his kingly crown, his royal robe, and clothed his divinity with
humanity. The incarnation of Christ in human flesh is a mystery. He could
have come to earth as one with a remarkable appearance, unlike the sons of
men. His countenance could have shone with glory, and his form could have
been of remarkable grace. He could have presented such an appearance as to
charm the beholder; but this was not according to the plan devised in the
courts of God. He was to bear the characteristics of the human family, and
the Jewish race. In all respects the Son of God was to wear the same features
as did other human beings. He was not to have such beauty of person as would
make him singular among men.

He
was to manifest no wonderful charms by which to attract attention to himself.
He came as a representative of the human family before heaven and earth.
He was to stand as man's substitute and surety. He was to live the life of
humanity in such a way as to contradict the assertion that Satan had made
that humanity was his everlasting possession, and that God himself could
not take man out of his adversary's hands. {ST, July 30, 1896 par.
1}

Christ
appeared upon the scene as a babe, as a child, having no extra advantages
in the world. He came of poor parentage, he had no privileges that the poor
have not known, He experienced the difficulties that the poor and lowly
experience from babyhood to childhood, from youth to manhood. There is a
mystery surrounding the birth of Christ that can not and need not be explained.
Nearly two thousand years ago a voice strange and mysterious was heard in
heaven, proceeding from the throne of God, and saying: "Sacrifice and offering
thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me." "Lo, I come; in the
volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God;
yea, thy law is within my heart." God manifest in the flesh came to our world,
being justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the gentiles,
believed on in the world, received up into glory. {ST, July 30, 1896 par.
2}

In
contemplating the incarnation of Christ in humanity, we stand baffled before
an unfathomable mystery, that the human mind can not comprehend. The more
we reflect upon it, the more amazing does it appear. How wide is the contrast
between the divinity of Christ and the helpless infant in Bethlehem's manger!
How can we span the distance between the mighty God and a helpless child?
And yet the Creator of worlds, he in whom was the fulness of the Godhead
bodily, was manifest in the helpless babe in the manger. Far higher than
any of the angels, equal with the Father in dignity and glory, and yet wearing
the garb of humanity! Divinity and humanity were mysteriously combined, and
man and God became one. It is in this union that we find the hope of our
fallen race. Looking upon Christ in humanity, we look upon God, and see in
him the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person. {ST, July
30, 1896 par. 3}

Christ
lived the life of a toiler from his earliest years. In his youth he worked
with his father at the carpenter's trade, and thus honored all labor. Tho
he was the King of glory, yet by his practice of following a humble employment,
he rebuked idleness in every member of the human family, and dignified all
labor as noble and Christlike. Those who indulge in idleness depart from
the lesson that Christ has given in his example for all humanity. From childhood
he was a pattern of obedience and industry. He was as a pleasant sunbeam
in the home circle. Faithfully and cheerfully he acted his part in doing
the humble duties that his lowly calling required. As the world's Redeemer,
he had chosen a most humble position. He had clothed his divinity with humanity
in order that he might be able to reach humanity. He could sympathize with
the poor; for he understood the inconveniences of poverty. He himself had
shared the burdens of the lowly. The world's Redeemer did not live a life
of selfish ease and pleasure. He did not choose a position that would bring
to him the praise and flattery of men. He knew by experience the hardships
of those who toil for their living, and could comfort and encourage all humble
workers. The record of the history of the humble labor of his life of burden
bearing, is written for our admonition and comfort. Those who have a true
conception of the life of Christ, can never feel that they must make a
distinction between classes, and set up the wealthy as superior to the lowly
poor. The King of glory lived a life of toil. {ST, July 30, 1896 par.
4}

It
is written of Jesus in childhood that "the child grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him." When only
twelve years of age, he made manifest the fact that his mind was developing
along spiritual lines. His parents went to Jerusalem every year to the feast
of the Passover, and in his twelfth year Jesus accompanied them to the city.
"And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus
tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But
they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and
they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance; and when they found
him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him." For three days
they sought him anxiously; for they were awakened to a sense of the
responsibility of the charge that God had placed upon them. "And it came
to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the
midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all
that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." {ST, July
30, 1896 par. 5}

His
parents listened in amazement as they heard his searching inquires. Jesus
was taking advantage of the providential occasion that had opened to him
to diffuse light. He had led the rabbis and teachers to speak of the prophecies
concerning the appearing of Messiah. They had presented their view of the
matter, speaking of the wonderful elevation that this blessing would bring
to the Jewish nation; but Jesus presented the prophecy of Isaiah, asking
them the meaning of those scriptures that brought to view the humiliation,
suffering, and death of the Son of God. Tho taking the attitude of a learner,
Christ imparted light in every word he uttered. He interpreted the Scripture
to the darkened mind of the rabbis, and gave them clear light in regard to
the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world. The sharp, clear
questions of the child learner brought a flood of light to their darkened
understanding. The truth shone out as the clear shining of a light in a darkened
place, as he received and imparted the knowledge of the plan of salvation.
{ST, July 30, 1896 par. 6}

It
is plainly stated that Christ grew in knowledge. What a lesson is found in
this incident in the life of Christ for all youth! If they shall diligently
search the word of God, and through the Holy Spirit receive divine guidance,
they will be able to impart light to others. By communicating the grace given
them, new grace will be imparted from Heaven. The more the human agent
communicates to others the riches of the grace of Christ, the more clear
and vigorous will become his understanding, and the more richly will the
grace of God abide in his own heart. If the youth will remain as humble as
did the child Jesus, they will become channels of light. {ST, July 30, 1896
par. 7}

The
doctors and the wise men were amazed at the question of the child Jesus,
and, desiring to encourage such a student of the prophecies, they sought
to draw out the knowledge he had obtained. Joseph and Mary were as much
astonished, as they heard the wise answers of their Son, as were the learned
men themselves. When there was a pause in the conversation, Mary, the mother
of Jesus, approached her Son, and asked, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with
us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." Divine light shone
through humanity as Jesus lifted his right hand, and asked, "How is it that
ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And
they understood not the saying which he spake unto them." They did not comprehend
the true meaning of his words. But, tho he was the Son of God, he went down
with his parents and came unto Nazareth, and was subject unto them.

And,
tho his mother did not understand at that time the meaning of his words,
yet "she kept all these sayings in her heart." {ST, July 30, 1896 par.
8}

At
the age of twelve the Holy Spirit was abiding upon Jesus, and he felt something
of the burden of the mission for which he had come to our world. His soul
was stirred into action. As one who would learn, he asked questions of no
ordinary character, by which he flashed light into the minds of his hearers,
and brought them to an understanding of the prophecies and the true mission
and work of the Messiah they were expecting. The Jewish people were cherishing
erroneous ideas. They were anticipating grand and wonderful things, hoping
for their own personal exaltation above the nations of the earth at the Messiah's
appearing. They were looking for the glory that will attend the second coming
of Christ, and overlooking the humiliation that would attend his first advent.
But Jesus, in his questions about the prophecies of Isaiah that pointed to
his first appearing, flashed light into the minds of those who were willing
to receive the truth. He himself had given these prophecies before his
incarnation in humanity, and as the Holy Spirit brought these things to his
mind, and impressed him with regard to the great work that he was to accomplish,
he imparted light and knowledge to those around him. {ST, July 30, 1896 par.
9}

Tho
he increased in knowledge, and the grace of God was upon him, yet he did
not become lifted up in pride, or feel that he was above doing the most humble
toil. He took his share of the burden, together with his father, mother,
and brethren. He toiled to sustain the family, and shared in the work that
would meet the expenses of the household. Tho his wisdom had astonished the
doctors, yet he meekly subjected himself to his human guardians, bore his
part in the family burdens, and worked with his own hands as any toiler would
work. It is stated of Jesus that (as he advanced in years) he "increased
in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." {ST, July 30, 1896
par. 10}

The
knowledge he was daily obtaining of his wonderful mission did not disqualify
him for performing the most humble duties. He cheerfully took up the work
that devolves upon youth who dwell in humble households pressed by poverty.
He understood the temptations of children; for he bore their sorrows and
trials. Firm and steadfast was his purpose to do the right. Tho enticed to
evil, he refused to depart in a single instance from the strictest truth
and rectitude. He maintained perfect filial obedience; but his spotless life
aroused the envy and jealousy of his brethren. His childhood and youth were
anything but smooth and joyous. His brethren did not believe on him, and
were annoyed because he did not in all things act as they did, and become
one of them in the practice of evil. In his home life he was cheerful, but
never boisterous. He ever maintained the attitude of a learner. He took great
delight in nature, and God was his teacher. {ST, July 30, 1896 par.
11}

Ellen G. White, Selected
Messages, book 1, p. 244

The
humanity of the Son of God is everything to us. It is the golden chain that
binds our souls to Christ, and through Christ to God. This is to be our study.
Christ was a real man; He gave proof of His humility in becoming a man. Yet
He was God in the flesh. When we approach this subject, we would do well
to heed the words spoken by Christ to Moses at the burning bush,

"Put
off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy
ground" (Ex. 3:5). We should come to this study with the humility of a learner,
with a contrite heart. And the study of the incarnation of Christ is a fruitful
field, which will repay the searcher who digs deep for hidden truth. {1SM
244.1}

The Scriptures Our
Guide The Bible is our guide in the safe paths that lead to eternal
life. God has inspired men to write that which will present the truth to
us, which will attract, and which, if practiced, will enable the receiver
to obtain moral power to rank among the most highly educated minds. The minds
of all who make the Word of God their study will enlarge. Far more than any
other study, this is of a nature to increase the powers of comprehension,
and endow every faculty with new vigor. It brings the mind in contact with
broad, ennobling principles of truth. It brings us into close connection
with all heaven, imparting wisdom, and knowledge, and understanding. {1SM
244.2}

In
dealing with commonplace productions, and feeding on the writings of uninspired
men, the mind becomes dwarfed and cheapened. It is not brought into contact
with deep, broad principles of eternal truth. The understanding unconsciously
adapts itself to the comprehension of the things with which it is familiar;
and in the consideration of these things the understanding is weakened, its
powers contracted. {1SM 244.3}

God
designs that the Scriptures, the source of science that is above all human
theory, shall be searched. He (p. 245) desires that man shall dig deep in
the mines of truth, that he may gain the valuable treasure they contain.
But too often human theories and wisdom are put in the place of the science
of the Bible. Men engage in the work of remodeling God's purposes; they try
to distinguish between the books of the Bible. Through their inventions they
make the Scriptures testify to a lie. {1SM 244.4}